[Cerebellar antibodies in post-stroke sera of acute ischemic stroke patients].

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although serum anti-neuronal antibodies are found in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients, it is not completely clear whether they are already present before the cerebrovascular event or emerge thereafter.

METHODS

Sera of 21 consecutive first-ever AIS patients were collected within the first day of AIS (baseline), as well as 1 and 6 months after AIS. Well-characterized and novel anti-neuronal antibodies were investigated by cell-based assays, immunoblotting and indirect immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

None of the AIS sera collected at different time points showed well-characterized antibodies. In 7 patients, 1- and 6-month sera (but not baseline sera) showed IgG mostly reacting with soma and dendrites of cerebellar Purkinje cells. Antibody-positive patients did not differ in terms of clinical and etiological features.

CONCLUSION

Our results provide evidence for the antibody-triggering action of AIS. Although anti-cerebellar antibodies are not associated with the severity of stroke, they may potentially contribute to chronic post-stroke complications and disability.